Mike Timlin brings to mind the lyrics of the "Grinch Song" from the Chuck Jones TV classic, "in summary…Stink, Stank, Stunk."

Timlin throughout his career has been consistently inconsistent. It could be said that you can always count on him…he’ll always let you down. 1999, his first season with the O’s, and first season as a "bona fide" closer, had just been another is a long series of unlearned lessons for owners and GMs…giving money to a player to fill a role doesn’t matter if the player isn’t up to it; as a matter of fact, the player will probably perform worse, and be regarded by the fans as a failure even if performing at his "normal" level (see: Bobby Bonilla with the Mets, Will Clark, et al)

As had been his wont, however, Timlin had turned in a quality second half after the pressure was off, and he was expected to "better handle" the closing role in 2000 (though the O’s signed Mike Trombley "just in case").

Surprise !!! Timlin didn’t handle it.

Anyone shocked?

Not many fans were. They’d seen it before. Meltdown after meltdown. A stand-up interview after a poor outing that’d lead to…ANOTHER stand-up interview after a poor outing.

Here’s those O’s numbers: blew 4 saves in 13 chances. A 5.08 ERA. A .383 OPB to lefthanded batters. 32 hits in only 28 innings. A .411 OBP with runners in scoring position. .300 opposition batting average in "close & late" situations.

The fans simply grew to loathe Timlin. He represented all of the facets of the O’s performance…too old, too well paid, too underachieving.

When he was traded to St. Louis, the O’s were forced to pay part of his salary over the length of the contract. Even if the O’s had ended up with nothing, most fans would have certainly considered this addition by subtraction.

Mike Timlin turned in a quality second half for the Cardinals, just as he did in 1999. Sometime during 2001, however, the Cardinals will undoubtedly regret having Timlin on their roster.

NOTES: got hit hard by lefties (.311 BA) and gave up walks to righties (.241 BA but .357 OBP)…Swing, batta (.452 BA, .553 OBP, .548 slugging allowed on first pitch)…first 15 pitches yielded .462 slugging percentage….spectacularly bad against the Yanks (4 app., 14.73 ERA).